Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 8
कौशिकी-गौरी तथा शार्दूलरूप-निशाचरस्य पूर्वकर्मवर्णनम् | Kauśikī-Gaurī and Brahmā’s account of the tiger-formed niśācara
व्याघ्रमात्रेण सन्नेष दुष्टः को ऽपि निशाचरः । अनेन भक्षिता गावो ब्राह्मणाश्च तपोधनाः
vyāghramātreṇa sanneṣa duṣṭaḥ ko 'pi niśācaraḥ | anena bhakṣitā gāvo brāhmaṇāśca tapodhanāḥ
ഇവിടെ വെറും പുലിയുടെ രൂപം ധരിച്ച ഒരു ദുഷ്ട നിശാചരൻ ഉണ്ട്. അവൻ പശുക്കളെയും തപോധനരായ ബ്രാഹ്മണരെയും പോലും ഭക്ഷിച്ചു.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: destructive
FAQs
The verse highlights adharma as the violent disruption of sacred order—especially harm to cows and tapas-rich Brahmins—signaling a condition that calls for the restoring power of Pati (Shiva) over pasha-like forces of cruelty and delusion.
Such narratives frame Saguna Shiva as the protector of dharma: devotees take refuge in Shiva’s manifest grace (often symbolized by the Linga) when destructive, deceptive forces arise, affirming Shiva as the guardian who removes भय (fear) and restores right order.
A practical takeaway is protective japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a dharmic resolve (ahiṃsā and protection of the vulnerable); if performed on Mahāśivarātri, it is traditionally paired with simple abhiṣeka and prayer for removal of negative influences.